THE HONEYMOONERS
An insultingly dumb remake best left for home.
Should You Watch It?
This is one of the less offensive PG-13 movies in recent memory. Its light foul language, slapstick comedy, and sexual innuendo are unlikely to trouble most teenagers and adults, and Ralph and Alice’s solid marriage offers a positive reminder that couples can remain together through stressful problems.
But the movie does not make much of that goodwill. The writing is aimless, the plot lacks structure, and the humor repeatedly treats its audience as unintelligent. Ralph and Norton use dishonest schemes, including pretending to collect money for charity, even though the movie presents their foolishness as folly rather than a model to follow.
The practical answer is simple: mature teenagers and adults can watch it at home, but most families should spend their time elsewhere.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESRalph Kramden is always trying to strike it rich. With his friend Ed Norton, he attempts schemes involving a redesigned fanny pack, a pet cactus, and an old train car converted into a tourist bus.
Ralph wants to help his wife, Alice, buy a house, but their financial troubles threaten to keep them stuck in their apartment. As Ralph and Norton chase a big payday, Ralph must also try to restore Alice’s faith in him.
Is It Any Good?
Two stars means this comedy has limited entertainment value despite its short 85-minute running time. Cedric the Entertainer and Mike Epps carry Ralph and Norton through a series of schemes, but the jokes are made as obvious as possible, and the plot repeatedly becomes ridiculous.
The film also feels long because of sub-par writing and weak structure. Much of the humor is aimed at African-Americans and may alienate other audiences. The result is a remake that most moviegoers will likely find boring and disappointing.
The Worldview
The film presents a light Christian moral viewpoint through prayer and a strong, positive statement about marriage. Ralph’s desire to support Alice in pursuing the American dream gives his schemes a sympathetic motivation, while his dishonesty repeatedly shows itself as folly. At the same time, the movie includes a pagan disregard for morality as men scheme to make money and carries a pro-capitalist viewpoint.
The marriage at the center is one of the film’s clearest strengths. Ralph and Alice remain committed through financial pressure, while the dishonest ways Ralph and Norton pursue money depart from biblical integrity. The movie’s treatment of its audience and its cultural humor also undercut its potentially warmer message.
The film’s humor is often aimed at African-Americans, which may alienate other audiences. Its depiction of African-Americans as simpleminded and money-grubbing, yet warmhearted, can be viewed as grossly offensive and as harkening back to the era of minstrel shows.
Marriage is worth protecting, but love does not make dishonest means righteous. Jesus said, “What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate” (Mark 10:9).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Light Christian moral viewpoint with prayer and a strong, positive statement on the importance of marriage, as well as a pagan disregard for morality as men scheme to make money, and pro-capitalist viewpoint; 14 obscenities (no ‘sh’ or ‘f’ words) and two profanities; slapstick violence includes man hit in head with pool ball, pratfalls, and men hanging off fire escape; light sexual innuendo between married couple, and man confesses that he accidentally saw his friend’s wife naked; beer; smoking; and, miscellaneous immorality includes dog racing, pick-pocketing, siphoning gas, men try to make money in underhanded ways, including pretending to collect money for charity and pretending to be blind, and conspicuous product placement.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Ralph wants to help Alice achieve the American dream, but some of his methods are dishonest. When does a good goal fail to justify a wrong action?
Proverbs 12:22 · Romans 3:8Ralph and Alice remain committed through financial stress. What does faithfulness look like when a marriage faces pressure?
Mark 10:9 · 1 Corinthians 13:4–7The film laughs at Ralph’s foolishness, but does laughter ever make dishonesty harmless? How should Christians respond to wrongdoing that is treated as comedy?
Ephesians 4:25 · Philippians 4:8The Final Word
The Honeymooners offers mild content and a positive marriage, but its dull writing, weak structure, and condescending humor make it a poor use of your time. Mature teenagers and adults may find it acceptable at home, but our answer is WAIT FOR HOME. For better family viewing, try these alternatives.
